Chief minister Tirath Singh Rawat said that examinations should be postponed and permission should be granted for conducting only online classes in colleges. He stressed that observance of the Covid protocol should be ensured in the state. Strict action should be taken against those not wearing masks in public and violating social distancing norms. The CM said this while chairing a meeting to review the Covid-19 situation in the state on Friday.

Addressing officials, Rawat said that maximum focus should be laid on public awareness while testing should be increased and the vaccination campaign should be stepped up. He said that an effective strategy for home isolation should be prepared, necessary kits should be provided to those under home isolation and regular contact should be maintained with them. Covid care centres should be strengthened and the Covid control room should be operated effectively. Trained officers and staff members should be posted in the control room. The CM said that timely treatment to Covid patients should be ensured to check the mortality rate. Stressing on the importance of contact tracing, he also said that necessary strictness should be used in containment zones.

Chief secretary Om Prakash said that frontline workers had performed commendably last time and this time too efforts need to be undertaken with the same spirit to check the contagion. The number of RT-PCR tests should be increased, he said.

Health secretary Amit Singh Negi said that currently there are adequate numbers of ICU beds, ventilators and oxygen support beds in the state, adding that these facilities need to be enhanced. Stating that there is no need to panic, he stressed on the need to work with seriousness.

The director general of police, Ashok Kumar, Health director general Dr Tripti Bahuguna and other officials concerned were also present in the meeting.